Kneeling stool



June 5, 1923.

B. DENNY ET AL KNEELING STOOL Filed Aug. 2. 1921 Patented June 5, 1923.

UNETED STATES rams? PATENT FFHQE BENJAMIN DENNY AND MATTHEW KAUFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KNEELING STOOL.

Application filed August 2, 1921.

T 0 all whom it ma concern:

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN DENNY and MATTHEW KAUFMAN, citizens of the United States, and residents of New York city, borough of Bronx, county of Bronx, have invented an Improvement in Kneelmg Stools, of which the following is a specification.

It is anobject of this invention to provide a stool for supporting persons in kneeling positions, such as assumed when scrubbing floors, laying carpets, or, in fact, carrying out any operation requlring the assumption of kneeling positions by the operators,

which may be readily moved on the floor by the manipulation of theknees without interfering with the operations bemg per-- formed.

' It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this nature wherein the means which makes possible its easy manlpulation also serves to maintain the operators knees in the proper position thereon and to protect the clothing of the operator.

It is a still further object of the invention to so construct the stool that it may be conveniently carried, and so that the means by which it may be carried will also serve during the use to maintain the stool 1n posltion when the operator leans forward.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description progresses.

In the drawing we have illustrated an embodiment of the invention, but it is obvious that many modifications of the construction there shown may be made without departing from the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof; and

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof.

The illustrated embodiment of the inven tion includes a base or platform 10, which is supported by ball-bearing casters 11, whereby the stool may be easlly moved on a floor or other support in any direction desired. The forward portion of the platform has the configuration of two arcs, the

oints of contact of which are in a line drawn substantially centrally of the platform from front to rear thereof. Mounted on the upper surface of the platform 10 are pads 12, which are secured thereto in any suitable manner, and which together Serial No. 489,271.

conform substantially to the outline of the platform. While we have illustrated and described two pads, it is perfectly obvious that should it be desired these two pads may be replaced by a single pad, so that we do not wish to be confined to either one or two pads, as under some conditions two pads can be more advantageously used, and under other conditions a single pad will prove the more useful. These pads are formed preferably of waterproof material, so that the knees of the operator may be kept dry during the washing or scrubbing of a floor.

In order that the knees of the operator may be kept in the proper positions on the stool, that the clothing of the operator will not become wetbut will be protected from the water used in scrubbing a floor, and that the stool may be easily moved in any direction, a pair of guards 13 are provided. Each of these guards extends upwardly from the platform 10 and is curved to conform to the forward edge of the platform. The guards are also inclined outwardly from the platform to their outer edges. With the guards 13 of this form, the knees of the operator, when resting upon the pads 12, will be embraced at the front as well as the sides, so that the platform may be relieved of the weight of the operator and the stool moved forwardly or to the sides by pressure exerted on the guards. The outward inclination of the guards makes it possible for the operator to lean forward, and when in such position the guards will lie fiat against the knees, and those portions of the thighs of the operator which are immediately above the knees. Thus the position of the operator may be changed without tilting the stool forward to such an extent that the outer edge of the guards will exert suflicient pressure against the flesh of the operator to make the use of the stool in this position uncomfortable. We have illustrated the guards 13 as separate and as attached to the platform 10, but these guards may, if conditions arise which make it advisable, be made of a single piece of material and integral with the platform.

Extending downwardly from the platform'lO at the forward portion thereof, is a member 14, which is located forward of the front casters 11, and is arranged to be slightly spaced from the floor or other supporting surface. This member performs a dual function, it limits the forward tilting motion. of the platform when the operator leans forward, and when the stool is in such position it prevents it from slipping from under the operator. Furthermore, it is so located with respect to the construction of the remainder of the stool that it may be used as a handle for the purpose of carrying.

From the construction which has been de scribed, and which is an embodiment of our invention, it is perfectly evident that we have provided a kneeling stool which will be convenient and comfortable to use, which may be readily moved on a floor, which will maintain its proper position during use, which will protect the clothing of the operator, and which will be cheap to manufaoture.

What we claim is:

1. In a kneeling stool the combination with a movably supported platform of a guard extending upwardly and arranged forwardly thereof, the said guard being in the form of a double arc and having or tions extending toward the rear of the platform intermediate the sides thereof to en gage the inner sides of the knees of the user whereby the platform may be shifted by pressure of the knees.

2. In a kneeling stool the combination with a movably supported platform of a guard extending upwardly and arranged forwardly thereof, said guard having portions extending toward the rear of the platform intermediate the sides thereof to engage the inner sidesvof the knees of the user whereby the platform may be shifted by pressure of the knees.

In a kneeling stool, the combination with a movably supported platform of a guard extending upwardly and arranged forwardly thereof and curved to engage the front and sides of the knees of the user but terminating short of the rear edge of the platform.

t. In a kneeling stool, the combination with a movably supported platform of a guard extending upwardly and arranged forwardly thereof and curved to engage the front and sides of the knees of the user but terminating short of the rear edge of the platform, said guard being inclined upwardly and forwardly from the platform.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification this 28th day of July, 1921.

BENJAMIN DENNY. MATTHEW KAUFMAN.' 

